Terrence Howard turned down Marvin Gaye biopic because of gay kiss: ‘I would cut my lips off’

Terrence Howard has revealed he turned down a role in a Lee Daniels-directed biopic about the iconic late musician Marvin Gaye over the prospect of delivering a gay kiss on-screen.The Academy Award-nominee spoke to Bill Maher on his Club Random podcast on Sunday (27 April) and discussed that “the biggest mistake I made in my career” was when he allegedly rejected Smokey Robinson’s offer to play him in a biopic. During the discussion, Howard claimed that he was being considered for a role in a Gaye biopic and “was being faithful to Lee Daniels because I had given him my word as man”.

Although neither film made it to fruition, Howard claimed that he was at the late Quincy Jones’ home when the record producer alleged that the rumours surrounding Gaye’s sexuality were true. “I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumours that Marvin was gay’, and I’m like, ‘Was he gay?’ And Quincy’s like, ‘Yes,’” Howard recounted.After learning about Gaye’s alleged sexuality, the Empire actor said he “could not” play Gaye in the film.



Howard was allegedly offered to play the iconic musician (pictured in 1983). (Paul Natkin/Getty Images)“They would’ve wanted to do that, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that,” he said, adding that he wouldn’t have been able to kiss a man on-screen “because I don’t fake it”.“That would f*** me,” Howard even went as far to add.

“I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off.”However, the actor argued, “It does not make me homophobic to not want to kiss a man.

“That’s fine, do what you love to do, but don’t do it at me, don’t aim it at me,” Howard said. “I can’t play that character 100%, I can’t. I can’t surrender myself to a place I don’t understand.

”However, Gaye himself never came out during his lifetime and reportedly added an “e” to the end of his surname to dispel rumours of his sexuality. Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.The post Terrence Howard turned down Marvin Gaye biopic because of gay kiss: ‘I would cut my lips off’ appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

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